Apparatus for moulding concrete pipes



Aug, 19, .1959 E, BOUCHER APPARATUS FOR MOULDING CONCRETE PIPES Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. s; 1966 ATTORNEYS.

Aug. 19, 1969 I E. BOUCHER 3, ,5 6

APPARATUS FOR MOULDING CONCRETE PIPES Filed Oct. 5. 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR I Eu no 9w E. BOUCHER APPARATUS FOR MOULDING CONCRETE PIPES Aug. 19, 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5. 1966 MR C nU NO I B Q n 9 n u E RNEYS a- 969 s. aoucuen 3,461,516

APPARATUS FOR MOULDING' CONCRETE PIPES I v Filed 06L 5. 1966 5 Shasta-Sheet 4 nvvslvron Eugene BOUCHER A TTORNEYS Aug. 19, 1969 E. aoucHER APPARATUS FOR MOULDING CONCRETE PIPES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 5. 1966 R M C nw mB n g u E ATTORNEYS United States Patent Int. Cl. B28b 1/10 1/30; B22c 9/24 U.S. C]. 2530 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Apparatus for making vibrated concrete pipe including an internal core and a vibrated outer casing, the internal core being set on a base plate and a socket forming pallet closes the lower end of the annular cavity between the core and outer casing. The base plate together with the core, and the socket forming pallet are separately rotated with a circular reciprocating motion in opposite directions from each other. The upper end of the annular cavity between the core and outer casing is closed by a spigot forming ring and is caused to rotate with a circular reciprocating motion while being pressed downwards, simultaneously with vibration of the outer casing.

This invention relates to the manufacture of concrete pipe and particularly to apparatus whereby concrete pipe is formed to more exact dimensions, particularly at the ends thereof, and with a uniform density throughout the length of the pipe.

In the process of manufacturing concrete pipe hitherto employed it has been the practice to use two mould filling stations, so that, While a filled mould was moved out of place after removing the core and stripping the mould casing from the cast pipe prior to'curing of the pipe, another mould could be filled. After the stripped core and mould casing were cleared from the cast pipe, they were returned to the mould station where the split casing and the core were realigned prior to another moulding operation. This operation was time consuming and costly and, while the cast pipe had the required strength it did not always have the required surface finish with the results that there was alyaws a high percentage of rejects due to appearance and precision.

The present invention seeks to overcome the objections inherent in the processes hitherto employed for making vibrated concrete pipe by first, having the core take up a fixed position at the mould filling station over and concentric with a fixed locating plate and providing means whereby the core is moved only in a vertical direction during the mould stripping operation, secondly having a top ring located always around the core and movable in a vertical direction with the core after the core has been raised to within a few inches of the top of the mould. Both the top ring and the mould bottom ring and the core are separately given a circular reciprocating motion so as to give a fine troweling action to the cast pipe. Such trowelling action is of particular importance in providing a fine smooth finish to the surface of the cast pipe and ensures that the end dimensions of the pipe will be finished within fine limits.

Near the end of the mould filling operation downward pressure is exerted on the top ring to compress the concrete and give it the required density.

After the moulding operation has been completed and the core and top ring have been withdrawn vertically, the mould casing and its cast pipe are lifted off the locating plate and removed to another location where the mould casing halves are removed and returned to the moulding station for a further moulding operation.

Patented Aug. 19, 1969 ice Hydraulic mechanisms are used to perform the various operations as, by the use of relief valves the equipment can be prevented from jamming as might happen if mechanical means was used.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide means whereby a more uniform and finely finished cast concrete pipe can be produced in a minimum of time and labour.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby, during the casting operation, the cast pipe is subjected to certain finishing operations which will ensure ease of withdrawal of the core and top ring without damage to the cast pipe.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a concrete pipe casting station and showing the hydraulic means for carrying out various operations during the casting.

FIG. 2 is a vertical elevation partly in section showing the various elements of the apparatus at the end of the casting operation and showing in dotted lines the position taken by the core and top ring during the first stage of stripping the mould.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a partial vertical section of the lower end of the mould apparatus shown in FIG. 2 but taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the bottom locating plate.

FIG. 7 is a partial vertical section of the upper portion of the mould showing the top ring raised in the concrete pouring position.

FIG. 8 is a partial side elevation showing the method for supporting and providing vertical reciprocation of the mould casing when long pipes are being moulded.

FIG. 9 is a partial horizontal section taken on the line 99 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partial horizontal section showing in diagrammatic form the mounting of the vibrators and the path taken by the vibrations through the mould casing.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 the pipe casting mould 5 is supported on a locking plate '13 which is adjustably mounted over the trough 7 set in the floor of the pipe casting station for horizontal location. Concrete is delivered to the mould 5 from the hopper 8, by means of the conveyor 9, which may be angled as shown or level. The core and top ring of the mould 5 is raised vertically by means of a hydraulic or electric Winch 10A and the cable 11. The top ring is raised by means of a hydraulic cylinder 10 and the cables 12.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2 to 10 inclusive.

A locking plate 13 is located on a pair of spaced apart channels 14 set into the floor 15 to form the trough 7. This locking plate 13 is preferably insulated from the channels 14 and floor 15 by the rubber pad 16.

A vertically disposed stub shaft 17 projecting upwards from the locking plate 13 serves to axially locate the circular core locating plate '6 which is spaced slightly above the locking plate 13 by the spacer ring 18. An annular ring 19 projects upwardly from the locking plate 13 for a purpose which Will be explained later.

The circular bottom core locating plate 6 has a central bore whereby the plate can be located axially about the stub shaft 17. A square sided core locating member 20 projects upwardly from the upper face of the core locating plate 6, the sides 21 of the member 20 being angled slightly inwards. An arm or lug 22 projects outwardly from the periphery of the core locating plate 6 and a cylinder and piston device 23 has its cylinder pivotally connected to the locking plate 13 at 24 and its piston rod pivotally connected to the arm 22 at 25. The bottom locating plate 13 has a stub shaft 17 welded to it. The retaining ring 26 holds down the locating plate 6.

A socket groove forming and curing pallet 29 is provided with a series of arcuate spaced apart bars 31 engaging with a series of similar arcuate spaced apart bars 30 on a locating ring 28 which, in turn rests on the core locating plate 6 at the periphery thereof.

The locating ring 28 is maintained concentric with the axis of the casting mould by means of the annular ring 19. An arm or lug 32 projects outwardly from the periphery of the locating ring 28, preferably opposite from the arm 22 on the core locating plate 6. A cylinder and piston device 33 has its cylinder pivotally connected to the locking plate 13 at 34 and its piston rod pivotally connected to the arm 32 at 35. The socket curing pallet 29 is Z shaped in vertical section and serves to space the core 49 from the mould casing 36 as well as giving shape to the lower end of the case pipe. The arms 22 and 32 project outwardly through suitable slots in the annular ring 19*.

The hydraulic cylinder and piston devices 23 and 33 are operated out of phase with each other so that the core locating plate 6 and the groove forming and curing pallet 29 will have circular reciprocation in directions opposite from each other.

The split outer mould casing 36 has its lower edge 37 supported on the upper surface of the ring 19 of the main locking plate 13. Two pair of brackets 38 on the lower portion of the mould casing 36 are notched at 39 to engage between the collars 40 on the piston rods 41 projecting upwards from the hydraulic cylinders 42. Each bracket 38 of the pair carries one caster wheel 38a.

The hydraulic cylinders 42 with their piston rods 41 are adjustable laterally on the channels 14 to effect engagement and disengagement with the brackets 38 and serve to hold down the mould casing 36 on the ring 19. Lateral adjustment of the cylinders 42 is effected by the cylinder and piston devices 43 which are anchored to the lower portion of the vertical side frame members 44 which extend upwards on diametrically opposite sides of casting mould 5.

A pair of brackets 45, one on each half of the split mould casing 36 located 90 from the brackets 38 each carry a caster wheel 46. The lower portion of the caster wheels 38a and 46 are located about 1 below the plane of the lower edge 37 of the mould casing 36.

The outer mould casing 36 is reinforced on its outer surface by a series of vertical channels 47, and a series of vertically spaced apart rings 47a bind the channels about the casing. A series of fastening devices 48 located at intervals around the periphery of the mould casing 36 and at intermediate heights between certain pairs of the rings 47a, support the vibrators 48a.

The core 49 is formed of a cylindrical section 50, a lower portion 51 is the form of a frustum of a cone and and upper portion 52 in the form of a cone. The lower portion 51 of the core is partially closed by the plate '53 which has a square aperture adapted to fit about the square locating member on the locating plate 6. The upper conical portion 52 of the core is provided with a series of vanes 54 and serves as a hopper surface for feeding concrete down into the mould. A retaining rmg 54a is welded to the upper outer portion of the vanes 54.

A core lifting eyelet 52a is secured to the apex of the conical upper portion 52 of the core.

In the mould filling position the upper spigot forming ring 55 which may be in one or more parts according to the type of joint required, fits between the upper ends of the mould casing 36 and the vane retaining ring 54a. This spigot forming ring 55 has its lower surface stepped at 56 to form the upper male end of the cast pipe. The inner peripheral edge 57 of the ring 55 is flared upwardly and outwardly from a point coincident with the juncture of the conical end 52 of the core with its cylindrical midportion 56 when the upper ring 55 is lowered and pressed down by the levers 58.

The upper spigot forming ring '55 is raised and lowered by three cables 12 which are connected to the eye bolts 59.

A cylinder and piston device 60 is mounted on each of the side frame members 44, the cylinder of which is pivotally connected to the bracket 61 and 62 while the piston rod is pivotally connected, by means of a clevis 63 at a position intermediate the length of the levers 58 at 64.

The levers 58 are pivotally mounted at one end on the pivot pins located at 64 to the top of the side frame members 44 while the other end of the levers are provided with adjustable rounded heads 65 which make contact with the upper surface 66 of the upper spigot forming ring 55.

A cylinder and piston device 67, has its cylinder pivotally connected at 68 to the bracket 69 projecting outwards from the top portion of the mould casing 36 (see FIG. 3) and the other end of its piston rod is pivotally connected with a clevis at 70 to the bracket 71 secured to the top surface 66 of the upper ring 55.

The cylinder and piston device 6'7 can be disconnected from the mould casing 36 to permit placing and withdrawing of the mould casing 36 before and after the moulding operation.

In the operation of this invention the mould filling position is fixed at a definite location on the floor 15 and two or more moulds '5 can be located side by side on the channels 14. The moulds can be for forming the same size of pipe or be for different sizes of pipe.

The core 49 and the top ring 55 remain always in the same fixed position and are raised and lowered by means in the hydraulic cylinder 10 and winch 10a and the cables 11 and 12 passing over suitable pulleys 72 located on a suitable frame near the ceiling of the building.

It setting up the moulds 5 for pouring of concrete to form a concrete pipe, the locating plate 13 with its stub shaft 17 is located on the channels 14 in axial alignment with the vertical axis of the core 49 and top spigot forming ring 55.

The locating plate 6 and the two separate inter-engag ing rings 28 and 29, are axially centered on the locking plate 13. Both the locating plate -6 and the bottom ring 28 are connected to their respective cylinder and piston devices 23 and 33 for circular reciprocation in opposite directions to each other.

Suitable reinforcing wire cages (not shown), as required for reinforcing of the moulded concrete pipe, are set up within the mould with their lower edges resting on the lower horizontal flange of the Z section of the ring 29 within the space between the ring 29 and the adjacent inner surface of the mould casing 36.

The split mould casing 36 is now positioned on the annular ring flange 19 projecting upwards from the bottom pallet 13 to enclose the reinforcing wire cages. The core 49 is now lowered down within the reinforcing wire cages and is accurately located by the locating member 20 on the lower locating plate 6. The core is rotated on its carrying cables 11 so that the square apertured plate .53 is properly aligned with the tapered sides of the square locating member 20.

The mould casing 36 is now locked down on the annular ring flange 19 by first moving the cylinder and piston devices 42 inwards towards the mould casing 36. This is accomplished by the cylinder and piston devices 43. The collars 40 on the piston rods 41 make contact above and below the surfaces of the brackets 38 on the sides of the mould casing 36 and the cylinder and piston devices 42 are activated to provide a vertical reciprocation motion to the mould casing 36 and so give a trowelling action to the exterior surface of the moulded pipe.

The foregoing applies to short concrete pipes less than four feet long.

Once the mould casing 36 and the core 49 are in place, the top ring 55 is lowered until the lower edge of its outer periphery is positioned a slight distance within the upper end of the mould casing 36 (see FIG. 7). In this position of the top ring 55 there is left a gap 74 between the ring 55 and the top of the core 49 through which concrete can be fed into the interior 75 of the mould. The vanes 54 on the top of the core 49 serve as guides for the top ring 55 when the top ring is in the raised position shown in FIG. 7. Also, the top ring serves to keep the core and mould casing concentric with each other. The mould is now ready to receive the concrete.

The moment the concrete starts to flow the vibrators 48 are turned on. The vibrations set up are transferred from the vibrators 48a to the rings 47a and thence to the vertical channels 47 and to the mould casing 36 (see FIG. 10). In this manner the vibrations are spread around the mould casing and into the concrete for maximum effect in compacting the concrete as it is built up within the mould casing, as shown by the arrows A in FIG. 10. The concrete is directed from the conveyor 9 on to the conical top of the core and is evenly distributed by the vanes 54 through the gap 74 into the interior 75 of the mould.

After a few seconds, that is to say as soon as a sufficient accumulation of concrete has piled up on the bottom ring 29, the hydraulic cylinder and piston devices 23 and 33 are activated. The hydraulic cylinder and piston device 23 causes the locating plate 6 and the core 49 to move in a circular reciprocating motion while the other hydraulic cylinder and piston device 33 causes the bottom ring 28 to revolve back and forth in the same manner, but out of phase with the movement of the locating plate 6 and core 49'. The core 49 and bottom ring 28 always move in opposite directions to prevent the concrete from moving. This effects a trowelling action which, along with the vibration caused by the vibrators 48, helps to place and pack the concrete in the mould and assures a polished bottom groove in the finished moulded pipe.

Only vibration is continued during the filling of the rest of the mould and the trowelling action is stopped for this period.

When the level of the concrete reaches a point near thes base of the conical end 52 of the core 49 the levers 58 are positioned above the top ring and the cables 12 are slackened. The hydraulic cylinder and piston devices 60 are now activated to exert a pressure on the top ring 55, through the levers 58, which compresses the concrete in the mould. Vibration is continued during this time while pressure is exerted on the top ring 55.

Keeping the vibrators 48 continually in operation, the piston and cylinder devices 42 under the brackets 38 are activated. These cylinder and piston devices 42 give a vertical reciprocating movement to the mould casing 36 to give the cast pipe a polished outer surface.

The vibrators 48 are now stopped and the core 49 is raised to a position where a few inches of it only remain in the new moulded pipe.

The hydraulic cylinder and piston devices 68 are now activated to cause the top ring 55 to revolve slowly in a circular reciprocating motion. This motion of the top ring 55 gives the tongue, formed at the top end of the cast pipe, by the stepped under surface of the ring, a glazed finish. After a short period of action the devices 68 are stopped and the core 49 and top ring 55 are raised vertically on their cables 11 and 12 to the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2.

The cylinder and piston devices 42 are disengaged from the mould casing 36 by means of the cylinder and piston devices 43.

The mould casing 36 and the finished concrete pipe within it is now lifted off the bottom plate 13 by means of a suitable lift truck engaging under the brackets 38,

and is carried off to the curing room where the split mould casing is stripped from the pipe.

Where tall mould casing 36a, four feet long and over, are used in the casting of long pipes it is not advisable that the mould casing be lifted under the brackets 38. In FIGS. 8 and 9 an alternative method of supporting and imparting vertical reciprocating movement to the mould casing 36a is shown. In this arrangement a pair of diametrically opposed pins 76 are mounted on the outside of the mould casing 36 at a suitable height from the bottom of the mould casing. A pair of horizontally disposed support members 77 project rearwardly from the foot of the side frame members 44. A pair of levers 78 are pivotally supported at their ends remote from the frame members 44 by brackets 79. The opposite ends of the levers 78 are forked at 80 for engagement with the pins 76 projecting outwardly from the mould casing 36.

A pair of cylinder and piston devices 81 are each associated with each of the levers 78 have their cylinders pivotally mounted at 82 on the support members 77 intermediate between the side frame members 44 and the brackets 79. The piston rod of the cylinder and piston devices 81 have their upper ends forked at 83 for pivotal connection to the levers 78.

The two halves of the mould casing 36 are moved along on their caster wheels 38a and 46 and clamped together around one or more cages of reinforcing wire and the groove forming and forming pallet 29. The mould casing is then locked closed and is returned to the filling position.

The whole process described above takes place in a matter of minutes and the exact number of minutes depends naturally on the diameter and length of the pipe to be moulded. The whole process can be repeated 10 to 50 times per day, again the number of times depends on the size of the form and the working hours in the day.

The smoothing action on the inner surface of the cast pipe obtained by the trowelling action of the core 49 ensures that the inner surface will be free of pit-holes resulting in a great reduction in the number of rejects. As the core moves in one direction, the bottom ring revolves in the opposite direction thus the still fluid concrete is held against movement and twisting of the reinforcing cage is also prevented.

As all operations are carried out by hydraulic means, any excessive strain is avoided by the use of suitable relief valves in the hydraulic lines.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for moulding concrete pipes including a mould casing, a core axially aligned within the said mould casing, the said mould casing and core together forming an annular mould cavity, a locating ring and a socket forming and curing pallet close the lower end of the mould cavity, and a top spigot forming ring, the said latter ring in one position forming with the said core an annular filling passage to the said mould cavity and in the other position closing the upper end of the mould cavity, separate means to rotate the said core, locating ring and socket curing pallet with a circular reciprocating motion in opposite directions from each other, means to impart reciprocating motion in an axial direction to the said mould casing, press means to press the said top spigot forming ring in an axial direction into the mould cavity between the said mould casing and said core, means to rotate the said top spigot forming ring with a circular reciprocating motion, and a series of vibratory inducing means are mounted on said mould casing.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the means to impart circular reciprocating motion to the said core, locating ring, socket curing pallet and top ring and the said press means are each hydraulically operated cylinder and piston devices.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the said core includes a separate core cylinder and bottom locating plate, the said bottom locating plate including a square locating member projecting upwards therefrom and engaging within a square aperture in the bottom of the core cylinder, and the means to rotate the said core is a cylinder and piston device operatively connected to said bottom locating plate.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the said socket curing pallet is a ring of Z cross section, a series of spaced apart arcuate lugs projecting downwards from the socket curing pallet and the said locating ring has a series of spaced apart arcuate lugs project upwards to engage between the arcuate lugs of the socket curing pallet, and the means to rotate the said bottom ring is a cylinder and piston device operatively connected to the said locating ring.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the said core and said top spigot forming ring are concentric with each other and are suspended by cables in axial alignment with the said mould casing, and hydraulic cylinder and piston devices are operatively connected to the said cables to raise and lower the said core and top ring into and out of the upper mould closing position between the said core and mould casing.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the said means to impart vertical reciprocating motion to the said mould casing includes a pair of brackets moulded on opposite sides of said casing, a first cylinder and piston device is operatively connected to each of said brackets and a second cylinder and piston device is operatively connected to each of said first mentioned cylinder and piston devices, the said second cylinder and piston devices adapted to move the said first mentioned cylinder and piston devices into engagement with and disengagement from the said brackets to permit placement in and removal of the said mould casing from the mould filling location.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the said core has a conical top end and the said top ring is held slightly above the base of the conical top end to form a passage to the top of the mould cavity between the said mould casing and said core and a series of radial vanes on the top end of the said core hold the said top ring concentric with the core and mould casing.

8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the said mould casing is reinforced by a series of vertical stilfening members spaced at intervals around the outer periphery of the casing and a series of supporting rings spaced at intervals along the height of the casing enclose the said vertical stifiening members, and the said vibrating means are mounted on said supporting rings at intervals around the periphery of the said rings and at intermediate heights between certain pairs of supporting rings.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 in which the said means to impart reciprocating motion in an axial direction to the mould casing comprises a pair of horizontally disposed levers pivotally mounted at their end remote from the mould casing and having their opposite ends in forked engagement with pins projecting outwards from the mould casing at diametrically opposite sides thereof, and a pair of cylinder and piston device vertically disposed intermediate the length of each of the said levers, the cylinder of the said cylinder and piston device being pivotally mounted to a fixed member and the piston thereof being pivotally connected to the said levers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,606,354 8/1952 Jackson an- 25--30 3,201,843 8/1965 OsWeiler 253O 3,383,742 5/1968 Nelson 25-30 J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner D. W. JONES, Assistant Examiner US. 01. X.R. 1s 42; 249-146 

